Subduction model

The subduction model accounts for large earthquakes (M 7–9.5) that occur on the subduction interface. The subduction zones along the northern and western coast of South America, the Panama deformation zones, and the Lesser Antilles subduction zone of the Caribbean are considered in the subduction model of this hazard assessment. The subduction interface of the Nazca plate beneath the western coast of South America has been separated into five zones, down to a depth of 50 km. The five zones are based on the locations of impinging subduction ridges, dimensions of large earthquakes, and fault complications. An alternative model for Chile (Medina et al., 2017) is applied to the Nazca subduction zones 3–5. This model is given equal [...]